Wow! Good for you! I have heard horror stories about how hard it is to quit smoking, and seen multiple friends try and fail. I admire your perseverance!

Thanks, but I didn't quit. I'm a cigarette smoker who hasn't smoked in 14 years and five months. One day at a time.

Quote:

Alas, my bizarre propensity for bronchitis cannot be explained by smoking, as I have never done so. I have joked in the past that my decade of teaching was the equivalent of being involved in biological warfare; I am now beginning to wonder if that may be closer to the truth than I want to admit.

I believe it! I never had so many illnesses as when I was teaching, and since retiring from the podium, have been healthy as a horse! Well... as an old horse...

Just once, I would like to catch a cold or virus and not have it turn into a bout of bronchitis. When your doctor lets you call in for "the usual prescriptions" because the diagnosis is old hat, it's gone beyond amusing and well into ridiculous. *uses inhaler* I feel like that wheezing kid on "Malcolm in the Middle." Seriously, lungs, get a grip.

I feel better already, having ranted. ^_^

Feel better. I just got over walking pneumonia so I know how badly it sucks.

Groan.. Why is it that every year I think I have everything under control and taken care of then I realize that I still have a long list of things to be done? I hate having to go out to stores at this time of year.

Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!)

Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I had that same problem for years! Every single year for almost 30 years, when I'd catch a cold, it turned into bronchitis. Then I stopped smoking. Haven't had bronchitis since... 14 years, 5 months today!

Stitchawl

ditto here on the chronic bronchitis until I quit. I also had very dark rings under my eyes, I kind of think I may have been allergic. and I have QUIT! rarely have an urge to smoke, even when smoking other substances... (hey! I DO live in WA state!

If I were to tell myself that I actually have successfully 'quit,' I'd be too tempted to try to 'smoke just one' at a party or perhaps at a bar. So I'm still working on it. I too only get the 'thought' to smoke one (not even an urge, just a thought) about once every 3-4 months.

I smoked one the night of my uncle's wake, one or two during my dad's final illness, but really had no urges to do so at the time, it was almos a self defence mechanism

I smoked that 'just one' too many times and busted too many 'quits' to allow myself to think I really want just one... I must have tried to quit a dozen or more times, often for months, and once even for two years... and then smoked 'just one.' Was back to a pack and a half a day within a few weeks. This is the first time I've been able to get away from it. But I have to do it one day at a time. Like the sober alcoholic who hasn't taken a drink in 25 years. He knows he's still an alcoholic and won't drink today, and prays he won't drink tomorrow. Me too. I didn't smoke yesterday. I won't smoke today. And I pray I won't smoke tomorrow. One day at a time. ODAT!

Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!)

Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle

I guess I am very lucky. I was quite close the afternoon after I blew my knee out on the slopes. when I was picked up at the e.r., there was a pack of smokes on the console, my hand hovered, and when I didn't succumb to THAT one, I think I knew I had won. it has been over five years now! ;o)

I guess I am very lucky. I was quite close the afternoon after I blew my knee out on the slopes. when I was picked up at the e.r., there was a pack of smokes on the console, my hand hovered, and when I didn't succumb to THAT one, I think I knew I had won. it has been over five years now! ;o)

(The 'time used' part estimates five minutes spent smoking a cigarette)
This is a free aplet that served as a very nice visual 'biofeedback' reward in the first few years of my stopping. I don't look at it very often these days, but it's there if I need it. I LOVE seeing how much money I've been able to use for better things!

(The 'time used' part estimates five minutes spent smoking a cigarette)
This is a free aplet that served as a very nice visual 'biofeedback' reward in the first few years of my stopping. I don't look at it very often these days, but it's there if I need it. I LOVE seeing how much money I've been able to use for better things!

Stitchawl

You forgot to mention the savings in health care costs your realized during those fourteen years!

You forgot to mention the savings in health care costs your realized during those fourteen years!

Very true! And not only health care. Cleaning bills to get the smells out of my clothes, replacement of clothing and furniture that finally had just too many little cigarette burns, but most importantly, girls who wouldn't kiss me because I smelled like an ash tray!